Alicia leaned over, piercing through Caelus's personal space once again, to grab his hand while baring those blindingly white teeth. It was akin to staring at the sun itself.
"That's what you were gonna ask, wasn't it?!" she exclaimed. "You must've seen our recruitment poster, what our club represented, and obtained a sudden interest in demonic investigation! Isn't that right?!"
"I—"
"Ah~ And here I was thinking we'd be the only ones in the entire college to share such a rare interest. I admit, demonic investigation isn't the most enticing occupation. There aren't many who would willingly delve into the dark side, but trust me. The payoff is monumental. An essential key to unlocking the real secrets behind this world!"
"Senior Alicia—"
"Alas! You've arrived just in time for our first meeting, my friend. Let us make haste and— Ack!"
Just like before, Shion snatched her away by the collar.
"Settle down, Alicia," he sighed. "We don't even know if he's here for that."
"Eh?! But isn't he?"
Before Caelus could speak, he was met by Alicia pouting in the exact same manner that Alune would whenever she wanted something from him. His brain whirled. He tried to come up with an answer, but those massive, pleading eyes were stealing all the words away.
Suddenly, Taylor stood up aggressively, pushing the piano bench back with a sharp screech.
"Absolutely not," he said sternly.
"Huh? But why?!" Alicia exclaimed.
"I refuse to be a part of the same club as that..."
He didn't finish that sentence, but the intent was rather obvious. Despite his hesitation, Caelus refused to let him back down.
"That what?" he muttered, garnering a scornful glare from Taylor. "Go on. Finish what you were going to say."
But he didn't. Instead, they locked their narrow eyes onto each other, crossing blades without drawing swords.
Meanwhile, Shion and Alicia exchanged nervous glances. Professor Archeota turned from his paperwork to revel in this spectacle taking place right in the middle of his lecture hall. He should've probably intervened, but when classes aren't in session, he deemed it unnecessary to get involved in the affairs of young students.
"Why should I bother wasting my breath when you already knew what I was going to say?" Taylor asked.
"Some things are meant to be said aloud," Caelus replied, maintaining his composure. "Take, for example... an insult. It's only fair that I am privy to whatever label you seek to attach to my name."
"Again, there's no need for me to waste my breath when—"
Caelus stepped up with a resounding, "When I'm a fallen noble, huh?"
The room went eerily silent. The spectators watched with great anticipation and bated breath. It was the first time they'd seen Taylor so aggressive, but what was even more surprising was the fact that someone had the guts to stand up to him.
"You know, you guys are genuinely starting to tick me off," Caelus muttered. "The only thing you've got in your entire arsenal is a childish insult. You parrot the same words every day as if I don't already know what I am. Well?"
He threw his arms out.
"I'm standing right here, and I know exactly what I am. My question now is whether or not you even know what you are. Because, honestly, seeing how you have all the time in the world for petty nonsense, all I see in front of me is a petulant child."
Taylor snapped like a dry branch in hefty winds. While reaching for the sword hung from his waist, he cried out, "You damned—?!"
But he was cut off when Caelus immediately closed the gap between them, pushing Taylor's sword back into its scabbard and placing his fist at his neck. To anyone else, it would've seemed like Caelus had stabbed him, but that wasn't the case. At least, not this time.
He let go and lifted his hand, revealing nothing beneath those fingers. Even then, the message was clear. Although there was nothing, there could've been something. Like... a dagger, and if that were the case, then Taylor would've died on the spot.
"Dare to draw your weapon, and you will be met on equal footing," Caelus said with a sharp tone. "Speak whatever filth you wish, scorn me until the day you die, but if we were to ever meet as enemies on the battlefield... I can guarantee you that you wouldn't last a minute against me."
"Is that a challenge...?"
"Take it as you will. Regardless of what you believe, I did survive five years within the desolate lands of Wyrheim. You would never understand the things I had to do just to stay alive. What these hands... were forced to do."
It was a clear, measured threat. For anyone else, they'd assume that Caelus spent the last five years enduring the hellish atmosphere of Wyrheim, but for Caelus himself, it was far worse. To have the Ego of Strife personally train him was a fate he wouldn't wish even upon his worst enemy.
Shion stepped in between them, resting a hand on Caelus's shoulder.
"That's enough. Both of you. Caelus, go ahead and finish whatever business you have with Professor Archeota. As for you, Taylor... come with me. And you as well, Alicia."
"Oh. Right," she replied.
The three of them ascended the aisle steps toward the other side of the classroom, leaving Caelus to discuss with Archeota.
"Taylor," Shion muttered, his voice steady and stern. "That was the first time I'd ever seen you so defensive about something."
"...I apologize," he said, though his tone was anything but apologetic.
"No need. Instead, I'd like to know what it is about the young Luvelaine that irks you so. Is it truly just because he is a fallen noble?"
"Is being a fallen noble not enough of a reason for me to despise him?"
"Perhaps, but I've never known you to care about such a petty thing," Shion said as he glanced over at Alicia. "You'd look at rats with the same apathy as you would a pebble. Even commoners don't do much for you, clearly."
"Hey," she muttered. "What the hell is that supposed to mean?"
Shion let out a chuckle.
"So, you can imagine why it's difficult for me to assume you would care any more about a fallen noble, Taylor."
Taylor didn't answer right away. He looked at Caelus, who was far enough away that he couldn't hear what he was saying to the professor. Then, he sighed.
"Karlon de Luvelaine," he finally answered, earning surprised looks from his seniors.
"The late duke?" Shion asked.
"Yeah. He was someone I heavily respected from the moment I met him. A master of the sword, an exemplary knight of the people, and perhaps the most chivalrous man in the empire. When the news of his death reached my ears five years ago, I had lost the only person I've ever considered a role model. That's why when Caelus de Luvelaine returned, I resented him without a real reason. The devil on my shoulder kept asking, 'Why him? Why did the Goddess allow him to survive instead of Sir Karlon?' I..."
His voice hitched.
"Forgive me..."
Shion was at a loss for words. He merely kept his eyes on Taylor with his arms crossed, reveling in this new side he hadn't seen before.
"War is a wretched thing, Taylor," he said. "Unfortunately, we don't get to pick and choose who lives and who dies. There will always be a sacrifice, no matter how hard we try to prevent it. We would do well to honor the fallen, and as for those who survive... At the very least, we shouldn't make it harder on them. They probably have every reason to regret."
A gentle voice carrying wise words. That was Taylor's first impression of Shion, and it was because of him that he joined this club despite some... peculiarities.
Beside them, Alicia was making pop sounds with her mouth, and each pop formed a bubble that she went on to poke.
At last, he calmed down and even let out a small chuckle.
"Alright," he said. "I will keep that in mind, Senior Shion."
Shion nodded his head while Alicia patted Taylor on the back with an exaggerated smile.
"Good on ya, Taylor! Now, come on."
While his seniors descended the aisle steps, Taylor stayed behind for just a second to ponder. His gaze turned to Caelus, who was still locked in a deep discussion with the professor.
Still, even after Shion's words, he resented him. However, he couldn't deny the irrefutable fact that his attitude was unfounded.